Trip to a British Fire Station

Today the kids and I joined the British Homeschoolers on a trip to St. Neots Fire Station. The kids and I already knew the emergency number in the UK was different--999. However, today I learned there is another emergency number available here in the UK and on the Continent--112.

I learned that there are many similarities and differences between firemen in the States and here in the UK.

The color of their trucks are different; that is obvious--but what do they called their fire trucks?






Answer: appliance


Uniforms are more or less the same with the same safety devices used











Fire equipment looks the same










Here we are looking for the fire hydrant--can you find it in this picture?








It is that small yellow rectangle on the ground by our feet! I didn't know that. I always wondered where the hydrants were!


The raised yellow H sign lets the Fireman know there is a hidden hydrant in the ground with in 3 meters of the sign. On the trucks they have detailed maps of every hydrant for the county, but the firemen still told tales of some hydrants being so overgrown with weeds that it hard for them to find them. With budgets cuts there are only 2 workers who maintain the hydrants and try to keep them clear and easily accessible.



The hydrant is approx 18 inches below ground.











Setting up the hydrant. All fire truck carry the needed pieces to connect to the hydrant.










Water!!!








All the kids got to try their hand at using the fire hose. Very exciting!











And of course go inside the fire truck and wear an fireman helmet:)











British Fire Engines have Blue lights!












More equipment seen at the fire house.










Some other difference my children noticed:
They did not have a fire pole to slide down -- some fire house do have them just this one did not!
The fire mascot is not Sparky the dog but "Blaze the Bear" but he was not available to be seen today:(

The sirens make a different sound then the ones in the states.

We all had a great visit to the firehouse and learn a lot. It is always fun to see how things are done in different countries.